"Talking"
"Thinking"
[Status Magic or other reference to a system or power]
...
That night, they went to bed a bit early, hoping the celebration tomorrow offset the heroes' meeting. As everyone settled in for the night, Naofumi put his arm around Raphtalia as always and she pushed back, resting against him.
"..."
"I can't wait until the kids have their own rooms." Naofumi lamented.
...
Naofumi woke up early the next morning and quietly slipped out of the cart. The sun was just beginning to peak through the trees around the village. Naofumi wanted to make something for the family before they left. Supposedly, there was going to be a feast and celebration. He'd just make something to tide them (mostly Filo) over until then. He got to work, doing everything quietly and therefore slowly.
Naofumi took a glance at the knights and they were still vigilantly guarding the town. Without being told to, they formed a schedule and performed well. They did short road patrols and continued to check the treeline. Naofumi was starting to feel bad for taking all these guys. Melty hand-picked each of them, so of course they'd be dutiful.
Naofumi had the time, so he made enough for them too. Once he was done, he approach Ake.
"Hey, Ake. I made a little something for everyone. You mind letting them know? I'll leave it with you." Naofumi told him.
"Of course. We'll keep everyone safe until you return." Ake promised.
"...Aren't you coming? You were in the battle too. This is for those that helped in the battle." Naofumi asked.
"The queen is only inviting higher ups, no way all the soldiers could fit in there. Just those that did the most." Ake explained.
Naofumi gave him a look of annoyance.
"It's fine. The queen gave my family some coin for my help, I'm more than satisfied." Ake assured him.
"Yeah, but... then you have to watch Keel... Sorry." Naofumi told him.
"What?" Ake asked.
"I like the kid and all, but he wasn't in the battle, so he doesn't get to go... So enjoy dealing with an energetic kid that knows he doesn't get to go to a party." Naofumi informed him.
"..." Ake didn't look thrilled at the idea.
Naofumi pat him on the shoulder as he went back to the cart. He peeked back into the cart, they were still asleep. That was fine with Naofumi. He decided to work on some accessories for a bit. Selling them would be more coin for the town. He also had other reasons to get better at the craft, but that was a down the road plan.
"What are you working on?" Leon asked from behind.
Leon sensed rare metals and gemstones being used.
"Making some accessories to sell."
"Hmm, it's more valuable now than before... I want to learn that." Leon said.
"Monti with cooking, Teal with medicine, now Leon with accessories. They all want me to teach them something... At least Filo prefers singing." Naofumi thought to himself.
"Sure, your senses will probably help you. In fact, you might be able to do better than me with that detection of yours." Naofumi answered, now considering .
Naofumi tried to teach Leon some things and Leon understood them, but the delicate and precise movements were just too hard for Leon. He was used to crushing things or blowing things up. To be delicate was against his nature. Naofumi saw he was disappointed and gave some words of encouragement.
"No one is good at this that quickly. In fact, it's a very uncommon profession... Tell you what, I could show you more each night, but you'd need to stop going to sleep early."
"If only there was a way to fight off the sleepiness..." Leon lamented.
"There is... I have these pills that give you more energy. The tailor uses them for all-nighters... Just don't give Filo one. I'm scared of the idea of Filo with more energy." Naofumi told him.
"Me too..." Leon admitted.
"It's about as good of a pick-me-up as a cup of coffee."
"What's coffee?" Leon reflexively asked.
Naofumi was now realizing that he hadn't seen coffee since he got to this world. It might very well be the case that this world had no coffee... Yet.
"It'll take Teal weeks to perfect coffee beans though." Naofumi filed away another assignment to do.
"It's a hot drink that keeps you awake." Naofumi explained.
"That sounds great!" Leon liked the idea.
"I wonder if coffee beans exist here... probably not. If it did, the tailor would absolutely be drinking it. Maybe Teal can make it?" Naofumi got some more ideas.
"What sounds great?" Filo asked.
Everyone else was now up and exiting the cart.
"The food we'll be getting at the party today." Naofumi lied.
Filo tilted her head, seeing her father was lying, but not to be mean. She let it go.
"Anyways, here. I know our breakfast is normally bigger, but this is only to tide us over until the party." Naofumi handed out the food, Filo first.
"Where else are we going?" Monti asked.
"The usual places." Naofumi told him.
They all knew what that meant.
"Alright, let's head to Castletown." Naofumi told them, gathering them up.
"Hmm, where's Keel? I thought he'd be here to see us off." Raphtalia asked.
"And deal with him bellyaching? Ake will tell him." Naofumi brushed it off.
"You didn't tell him he wasn't coming?" Raphtalia was a little peeved.
"I didn't tell him anything. Not about going with us to the party or even that there was one." Naofumi told her.
"...That was me..." Teal admitted.
"Well, you can be his shoulder to cry on when we get back." Naofumi said before activating his skill.
[Portal Shield]
Just as they left and the light faded, Keel made it there.
"What the hell!?" Keel exclaimed.
Keel waited a few minutes. To teleport with 7 people required Naofumi to teleport most of them, then summon the last one via [Knock Knock]. After a few minutes, realization settled in.
"They really left me!" Keel yelled.
He looked around to see Ake staring at him. Keel latched onto that.
"You! Explain!" Keel yelled.
"Shield hero... Why?" Ake lamented.
...
Castletown
...
The party teleported to the hourglass, but someone was already using it. It nearly interrupted the class upgrade ceremony.
"S-Sorry." Monti reflexively apologized.
They quickly went off to the side to move out of the way, but Naofumi saw Filo's cowlick glow. He realized someone just used Filo's x2 boost, but who? Someone spoke to Naofumi.
"Ah, shield hero." Eadwig greeted.
"Holy shit..." Escaped someone's mouth.
It was the former bandit leader who was going through the class-up ceremony. He had a few items with him that triggered to give him certain class options, but Filo's cowlick was now added on top of it and the man was stunned. Having class upgraded once before at level 30, to now see his stats like this was ridiculous.
"Wait a minute... Dad! I remember him." Monti recognized him.
"Yeah, the bandit leader..." Naofumi did too.
"Oh, savior, or shield hero... What they hell happened?" The man ignored any hostilities, knowing how that'd turn out.
"You got a bonus I only reserve for my allies... Maybe we need to reset your level." Naofumi threatened.
"Please don't. Paying for his class upgrade was the fee for his services." Eadwig explained.
"..." Naofumi only half considered it.
"Savior, I already reset my level after your woman beat me last time and I left that group." The former bandit informed him.
"He went from level 1 to level 40 in that time period without heroes or special knowledge... He must actually be quite talented." Naofumi thought.
"If I hear about a strangely strong bandit attacking the roads, I'm coming for you." Naofumi warned.
He held up his hands. "I've been doing respectable work as a mercenary." He defended.
"Which you mean to say that you were fighting against us during the battle?" Raphtalia accused.
"We changed sides rather quickly. It was never my intention to fight you again. You taught me a valuable lesson." The former bandit told them.
"...Whatever, we need to get going. Let's drop it, there are others waiting to class up and I don't want Filo handing out power to everyone." Naofumi told everyone.
Naofumi went to leave, but Eadwig motioned for him to not.
"Shield hero. With me replacing my father as lord of Opaltown, I feel I must apologize in his stead for the poor manner he conducted himself with you during your visit to our town." Eadwig offered.
"..." Naofumi didn't say anything. He felt the man was about to add something more.
"As things are, Opaltown would love to help provide Lurolona village with supplies in this trying time. Would you be willing to hammer out an agreement now?" Eadwig offered.
"...We have time, but you must know that we don't have that much money for large scale supplies right now." Naofumi divulged.
"That's fine. The queen will help pay for things I imagine, the rest can be paid over time." Eadwig informed him.
"What are your interest rates?" Naofumi thought he saw the man's angle.
"Zero." Eadwig answered.
"..." Naofumi was now unsure of the man's angle, which meant he didn't want to agree.
Eadwig saw the apprehension. "You're wondering what's in it for me? Good will." Eadwig told him.
"Good will?" Naofumi didn't believe him at all.
"Yes, but not yours. Helping you will surely go a long way to getting the queen to see me more as an ally and not a forced pawn." Eadwig explained.
Naofumi looked to Filo.
"He's telling the truth, but he's also lying." Filo said.
They all looked at Eadwig with further suspicion.
"She can detect lies?" Eadwig asked with some shock.
"More like 'intent'." Naofumi said.
"Well then, the other reason is Hickwaal and the guild might not stop its trade war with Opaltown without me publicly apologizing and doing you a favor." He admitted.
"The town seemed booming with business when we were there last." Naofumi still doubted him.
"And after my father treated you so poorly, the rumors spread suspiciously quickly about the incident. Now the guild has been working against Opaltown and I need it fixed immediately. I had hoped that my father's problems would die with them, but not all in the guild seem to understand that I'm an ally. It's hard to adhere to my obligations to the queen and paying all the mercenaries my father hired with our economy going downhill." He admitted further.
"Don't listen to him, dad. Can we really trust someone who killed family?" Monti asked, speaking more boldly than normal.
"...I only turned steel on him because otherwise my daughter was going to die. The savior's child or not, accuse me of being that kind of monster and-!" Eadwig stopped himself from saying something stupid.
Naofumi turned to Filo again.
"Not lying since last time." She chirped.
Naofumi thought a moment.
"It seems we've upset you as well. So let's put that aside, I'll officially accept the apology." Naofumi told him.
Everyone's tempers reset. From there, Eadwig and Naofumi hammered out a deal for some supplies and craftsmen, since building was the priority. That wasn't the only priority, though.
"I also need guards and medical professionals." Naofumi informed him.
"Indeed, the specific population of Lurolona demands it... I have guards aplenty, but medical professionals... I'd ask either the queen or... Actually, that demi-human... Mia, was it? She's replacing lady Grimwald, correct? If so, as an alchemist, would she need all of Grimwald's medical staff?" Eadwig suddenly had the idea.
"Hmm, I never even considered that. I'll look into it. As for the guards, no offense, but I can't just accept anyone." Naofumi spoke further.
"What about me?" The former bandit asked.
"What? Zeke? I thought you liked your position." Eadwig asked, sounding kind of hurt.
"It's a nice gig, but I think I'll get stronger if I gain a hero's favor. Maybe after I feel strong enough, I'll return." Zeke said honestly.
"Sorry, no." Naofumi shut him down.
"What? After that boost I just got, I'm more than qualified." Zeke argued anyways.
"It's not about power. The village is made up of the weak and the abused. A former bandit leader as a guard sounds pretty dumb." Naofumi told him.
"Former bandit leader? ...I kind of see that." Eadwig was surprised, but not shocked by the news.
"The opposite of dumb. I know how bandits and vagabonds are likely to attack. I know how they work. I can help in ways those straight-laced soldiers can't." Zeke tried to argue more.
"Probably, but I can't trust you." Naofumi dismissed.
"Use your bird again, then." Zeke suggested.
"You mean, my daughter?" Naofumi corrected him, a hint of anger in his voice.
"Y-Yeah, sure." Zeke nodded.
"..." Naofumi turned to Filo.
"He isn't lying or hiding anything." Filo told them.
That was not what Naofumi expected. The guy did reach level 40 quicker than most could hope to and he did receive Filo's bonus... Right now, the plan was Ake and Keel to be the strong ones left behind when they were traveling, but maybe someone like him did have his uses...
"You get there on your own and I'll consider it." Naofumi decided.
"And if you harm the villagers, I won't hold back like I did before." Raphtalia warned.
Zeke simple nodded and left with a wave to Eadwig. He intended to start his way there right this moment.
Eadwig wanted to go further with their business, but Naofumi stopped him.
"Sorry, but the population of the town is going up and the majority of them being unfit for labor, I don't know what I'm going to need yet. I have no experience and no frame of reference. I can't agree to anything too big right now. When things are more clear, I'll let you know." Naofumi was out of his depth and knew it.
"Ah, not over investing. I understand. Well, I have several carpenters and stone masons that I can send your way. I can give them some coin for the trip and you can pay them for their services." Eadwig offered.
"Fair." Naofumi shook the man's hand.
"Then until we meet again." Eadwig bid Naofumi and his party farewell, as he stayed to pay for the class upgrades of several mercenaries.
...
Erhart's shop
...
The bell of the door rang and they all filed into the shop. They all started looking around the shop without prompting. This place was a very comfortable place for them all. The feeling of entering a close friend's house was the closest feeling.
As they waited in the front of the store, Naofumi eyed all the shields he had yet to copy. Regardless of what the queen said, he'd pay Erhart before he copied his work.
"The rate was... 20 silver per shield. Then maybe I'll copy five for a gold..." Naofumi considered.
"Oh, I thought it was you guys. So, how are things with that village?" Erhart greeted.
The kids took their turns greeting Erhart, Raphtalia smiled behind them.
"Hey. Everyone has a roof and things are looking better every day..., but it's still far, far away from good." Naofumi divulged.
"How bad are we talking?" Erhart asked.
"At least 50 pregnant women, 10 or so kids and that number's going to keep going up, about 12 fully able bodied adults, various other people who can't work, then the 40 knights. We're on the ocean and have no boats, 8 buildings with roofs in total... It's honestly a mess." Naofumi told him honestly.
"What's with all those pregnant women?" Erhart asked.
"You really don't want to know." Naofumi warned.
"...Sounds like you just need workers." Erhart thought.
Naofumi went to reply. "Where to get them, is the problem. Where could I find several workers that-" But was interrupted.
"That can't betray you?" Erhart finished.
"..." The answer stared him in the face.
Naofumi half turned to Raphtalia.
"If we free them and offer them haven, those demi-humans would have no reason to betray us." Raphtalia argued before he even asked.
"There is a risk if we don't keep them as slaves, but... No, she's right. They aren't like Raphtalia and Keel. People who never fight..." Naofumi had a thought.
"We can't always be there... No one gets a seal if they don't want it, but if anyone wants to defend the town, like Keel... I'll offer them the slave seal." Naofumi determined.
There was a hint of hesitation in Raphtalia's mannerisms. She'd prefer no one has the seal, but then she'd be a hypocrite. She chose the seal to become stronger, to fight and protect. Just like with Keel, she had no right to deny them the chance. To deny them their ability to choose was the very thing she wanted to avoid.
"O-Of course. We should empower anyone who shows a willingness to defend their home." Raphtalia answered.
Naofumi saw and heard her hesitation, but her words were the truth.
"We also came here to pick up the gear if it's done, maybe copy some shields." Naofumi moved on to the next subject.
It had been so long since Naofumi mentioned copying shields that Erhart slapped his face at recalling something.
"Oh, right. Hey kid, I have a shield you have to copy." Erhart said, going to the back.
After a moment, he can back to the front with a shield that looked similar to the [Meteor Shield] he copied before. It seemed darker and had a more detailed design. It looked like a solid piece of work.
"This shield wasn't made by me, but a good buddy of mine. Copy it and tell me what you think." Erhart offered.
"Well, let me pay you first." Naofumi reminded him.
"Oh, that's right. I made you pay for them... Listen kid, I like getting paid for my work..., but you all saved a hell of a lot of people with that whole three heroes church nonsense. It doesn't really cost me anything, if my shields are protecting the world, I'll be plenty satisfied." Erhart told Naofumi.
"Sure, got it." Naofumi reached out and grabbed the shield as quickly as possible.
"Oi, not even a second of hesitation!?" Erhart complained.
.
[Siderite Shield]
+5 def, +5 sdef, +10 non-elemental resistance
[Ability: Shooting Star Shield] Create a spherical barrier around you. Party members may move freely in and out of it.
.
"Wow. This is a really great shield..." Naofumi switched to the shield.
"Of course it is, my bud-" Erhart went to talk his friend up.
[Shooting Star Shield]
Naofumi was now surrounded in a bubble as the skill described.
"This skill allows party members to pass through, but [Security] gives everyone that ability... No. No, it doesn't. [Security] requires active consent, this is on by default. In a chaotic situation, this is far superior than using [Shield Prison] plus [Security]. It also doesn't obscure my view like [Shield Prison] does. Best of all, I can pair this with [Shield Prison]... Yeah, this is great. In fact... If I master those three range enhancing shields, would the bubble be bigger?" Naofumi thought over the skill.
"What's with this?" Erhart hit the bubble.
"A new skill the shield grants me. So, it's thanks to you and that talented friend of yours." Naofumi told him.
Before Erhart could feel touched, Monti came up with a shield.
"Copy this, dad." Monti offered a shield.
"This too!" Leon added.
"This one looks useful." Then Teal.
"This one for sure!" Then Filo.
"These two as well, Naofumi-sama." Then Raphtalia.
They kept entering and exiting the bubble, handing him shields to copy. Erhart wanted to stop them a moment to ask them why they were copying them all so casually right after he gave the green light, but the bubble kept him from approaching. Even after the skill faded, Erhart was now too deflated to act.
[Hematite Shield Unlocked]
[Magnetite Shield Unlocked]
[Limonite Shield Unlocked]
[Ankerite Shield Unlocked]
[Goethite Shield Unlocked]
[Turgite Shield Unlocked]
[Jaspilite Shield Unlocked]
Etc
...
Naofumi unlocked about 3 dozen shields in total. Most just gave a stat boost, but there were a few stand outs.
.
[Knight's Shield]
+3 def, +1 mdef
[Ability: Weaponbane] Unnatural weapons deal 5% less damage to you.
.
[Heavy Tungsten Shield]
+6 def
[Unique Ability: Bastion] place the bottom of the shield on the ground to lock it in place (strengthened by [Latch Plus]).
.
After looking through all his unlocked shields, Naofumi then turned to a peeved Erhart.
"Sorry about the excitement. It's just that copying all of your shields just feels like a huge advantage." Naofumi attempted to appease the man.
"Don't brown-nose me... Whatever. Here." Erhart started handing over the gear he was working on.
"Figured you'd see through it." Naofumi commented as he received the things Erhart was handing him.
"The dumb looking clothes were modified some. They still look a bit cute, but less so. Had I more time, I might have been able to make them look a lot different, but if I did it too carelessly, they'd lose some of their bonuses." Erhart told Naofumi.
Naofumi looked at the outfit. The kigurumi's head was now made a hood Keel could wear down, while still having the cute face. The sleeves for the arms were tightened, cut open at the ends and rolled back. Now Keel could hold his weapons properly. Below the waist... It was basically the same. Still, it was a sight better and a quick [Inspect] showed how well the Cerberus pelt paired with the wolf Kigurumi.
.
[Triple-Wolf Kigurumi]
[+8% hp, +7% atk, +8.5% def, +3% mag, +4% mdef, +12% agi]
[Physical Resistance (small), Earth Resistance (large), Shadow Resistance (small), Stamina Restore (small), Skill Adjustment (small)]
.
"I couldn't get any of the flat bonuses to become small-tier, but they are scaling." Erhart told him.
"You know, I've never even asked about that." Naofumi realized.
"Weak enough bonuses can be discerned, like the flat numbers I converted, but once they get a little higher, they say 'small' or 'medium' and whatnot." Erhart explained.
Naofumi only had more questions.
"So this saying 'Earth Resistance (large)' means it's scaling, not flat?" Naofumi asked.
"Eh, it's not that simple." Erhart had a tired looking face.
Naofumi saw that trying to explain all this to someone who didn't know a thing would be frustrating.
"Sounds complicated, I'll let you handle this stuff, okay? ...I'm sure Keel will appreciate this." Naofumi told him.
Seeing Naofumi drop it eased Erhart's mind.
"Well, see that he appreciates this too." Erhart said, sliding the improved dusters across the counter.
Naofumi stored the armor and looked at the dusters.
.
[Cerberus Dusters]
[+11% atk, +5.5% mag +11% agi]
[Bestial Senses: grants enhanced sense of smell while worn]
.
They now looked like the heads of a dog, but with the bottom jaw missing. They looked really dangerous. Naofumi smirked at them a moment, then stored them too.
"Oh, he'll definitely enjoy those." Naofumi answered quickly.
"I hope so... then lastly, I got this. The lass' armor." Erhart sat it up on the counter.
Naofumi gave it a look and made a face. Raphtalia grabbed the armor.
"I'll go put this on right now, thank you." Raphtalia said with an exaggerated bow.
"We have a party after this, you sure you want to wear that?" Naofumi asked.
"Of course. I've missed having armor." Raphtalia said, entering the changing room.
Seeing Naofumi's mood, Erhart and Teal jumped on it.
"Bummed because it'll cover too much?" Erhart asked.
"I was thinking the same thing, so predictable." Teal added.
"No, both of you quit. It was just nice seeing Raphtalia as a girl in her hometown and not a swordswomen fighting all the time..." Naofumi told them.
They didn't buy it.
"So, you could give dad back his view, right?" Teal asked.
"Not unless he explicitly asks for it." Erhart answered with a laugh.
"I will not! I legitimately liked seeing Raphtalia as just a girl... She's beautiful as a warrior too, but that's a side of her I see every day... Seeing her walk around her own village gave me an entirely new side of Raphtalia to love..." Naofumi thought.
"I hate you both." Naofumi said, feeling a little vulnerable.
Monti, Filo and Leon pat their fathers back. Even their hero father was victim to Teal's bullying. Moments later, Raphtalia exited the changing room, Naofumi's mood improved.
"I hadn't gotten enough of 'girl next door' Raphtalia, but 'cut you in two' Raphtalia is always nice." Naofumi thought briefly.
Raphtalia wore a big smile in her improved armor. She felt more powerful and useful than ever, she couldn't wait to be relied upon even more. Everyone smiled at Raphtalia and she mistook that as them approving of her armor, when they were just happy that she was happy.
"That's everything I have done currently. The kids' armor will be at least a week, honestly two." Erhart told them.
Naofumi knew that was a longer term project. Erhart was making armor to fit the kids' monster forms as well as armor for their human forms. He also had to blend the crystal ore into their armor that had the correct mana imbued. Naofumi and the family spoke with Erhart for a bit before heading to their next destination.
"We don't need to go to the magic shop for any reason, right?" Naofumi asked with a hint of concern, as they were going down the street the magic shop was on.
"I think we're fine, just fine. Let's hurry and get everything done." Raphtalia was at least as worried as Naofumi was.
Teal saw this and went to poke at them.
"I think I'll go say hello to that nice shop keeper real qui-" Teal went to leave, but Naofumi used [Knock Knock] to summon her at his side. A second later, Raphtalia had Teal's shoulder.
"No." They told her in unison.
...
Beloukas' tent
...
They entered Beloukas' tent. Raphtalia was usually wary of the place, but their reason for being there left Raphtalia wanting to be present. As they walked in, they were met with walls of aged creatures, as always. However, Naofumi thought the walls were a bit shorter than normal and the large cage the once held the powerful level 75 beastman was gone. His inventory was slimming down as he said he would.
They found Beloukas dealing with another customer.
"There must be a bulk discount if I buy enough of them." The customer argued.
"Of course, I'd always favor such a deal, but I just don't have the stock, I-Well, maybe I do." Beloukas switched focus to Naofumi as they entered.
"Dear customer, favorite customer~! I was hoping you'd be back today. I simply must have more of those seeds. I don't need the new updated ones, even the old ones will do." Beloukas began his attempts at getting the bar rolling.
The customer stiffened. "Updated ones? Old ones?" He looked at Teal with curiosity and confusion.
Naofumi and Teal were now pulled into Beloukas' ploy to up the price on the poor guy.
"I have both the weak and strong seeds, but first we need to discuss my cut of the last batch." Teal began.
Beloukas began with his cheery voice. "Of course, of course. Let me check my ledger... Hmm. The cost of that last slave seal was taken out of your profit, so your total profit is-"
"Wait, what?" Teal was confused.
"Keel's seal. I'm sure you're fine paying for him, right?" Naofumi asked in a knowing tone.
Naofumi was teasing Teal and it made him feel powerful. The magic shop owner was wicked as well, but he could use his own 'malevolent dad powers' to embarrass Teal in a way he could never the shop keeper. The other kids wanted to snicker, but they feared retaliation.
"...It's fine. I guess we'll use the seed money for all the slaves." Teal made it about more than Keel, so no one could accuse her of anything.
"Those kids? They are prepared, but first let's discuss seeds." Beloukas tried directing the conversation.
"No, the two are related, let's discuss both. I need every kid in this tent ready to leave by the end of the day and I need general labor as well." Naofumi took hold of the conversation.
"General labor? I have some fit for labor, but they'll cost more than the children, obviously." Beloukas gave up control of the conversation and began to play ball.
"That's understandable." Naofumi conceded.
Teal approached with two baskets. "200 of the old seeds and 150 of the updated ones. The updated ones taking longer to make, so you'd have to charge more just to make the same profit. You can sell them both and tell me which is selling better." Teal told Beloukas.
"W-Wait. Sell to me directly. I need as many seeds as I can get." The other customer broke into the conversation.
The family eyed the man curiously. Teal and Naofumi looked at each other a moment.
"Sorry, but we can't sell around our business partner at his place of business." Naofumi told him.
"Dang it. I need monsters brought for my lord though..." The man weakly resisted.
"Why?" Leon and Raphtalia both asked.
"My lord is trying to level up, but can't seem to find the time to do so. Those seeds go a long way to seeing the lord class upgrade, but buying every single kill is financial torture." The man admitted.
The family could understand that buying the seeds at tamed monster prices just to scrape some EXP together was about as inefficient as it could get, but they'd not undermine Beloukas so brazenly.
"All the same, talk to Beloukas. Coin is useful, but he's offering us more than coin." Naofumi told the man.
"I already agreed to the bulk discount, then you try to undermine my business relationship?" Beloukas sounded agitated, but somehow still cheery.
They saw Beloukas was about to hose the man and they had no intention of stopping him, but there was a bit more to discuss.
"We'll be back later, give you time to see how many laborers you can gather..., but before we go, what's the going price of Valian eggs?" Naofumi asked with a smirk.
"D-Dear customer, you don't happen to-" Beloukas went to ask, but Naofumi revealed some eggs before the question could be asked.
"We have a lot, as in a hell of a lot. The mother grew to the level of 69 on its own before we took it down. These things have a lot of potential." Naofumi made his sales pitch.
"I'll buy... five." Beloukas said.
"I never told you the price." Naofumi reminded him.
"Are you sure? I could have sworn I heard 40 silver?" Beloukas 'reminded' him.
"Pretty sure I said 150 silver." Naofumi played along and jumped the price a bunch.
"...Dear customer, I am unsure If I can move this product. Valian need saltwater to live. That really limits the customer base. 60 silver." Beloukas had to stop the game to really explain the circumstances.
"They are also delicious and the meat sells well. 80 silver." Naofumi pushed all the same.
"..." Beloukas stared at Naofumi.
"..." Naofumi stared at Beloukas.
"70 silver then." They both said.
"Then take your five now and we'll worry about profit later on tonight. Remember, the more laborers and kids you can scrounge up, the less you have to split with us." Naofumi told him.
Beloukas laughed at that. Naofumi understood that coin in hand is worth more than coin in theory. He'd need to go through his entire inventory and find every potential sell... As soon as he made this other customer's wallet cry for trying to work around him.
The family checked the time and it was about time for the party to start. They were all rather excited for the party. Filo even more so, because it meant seeing Melty again. Raphtalia was a mix of positive and negative. Naofumi had some positive thoughts on the party, but mostly negative, because he knew what came after.
.
[Author's Notes]
Long winded chapter, sorry.
Erhart has finished with what he could.
Lurolona has craftsmen coming from Eadwig and workers from Beloukas, maybe they can kickstart something?
Next time, the heroes meeting, please, it's not funny anymore.
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